The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Treasures

Treasures: Fabulous Finds and Paying it Forward to those in Need

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Emergency Shelter Partnership, Hope’s Door, Hudson Valley Honor Flight, and the Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry

 

Treasure Photos by Donna Mueller

There is a not-so-hidden shopping treasure in Armonk. You’ve gone past it often, but now it’s time to stop in to discover and uncover some hidden treasures for yourself.

What and where is this mysterious place? It is a thrift shop aptly named Treasures in the basement of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, located at the entrance to the Bedford Road Historic District. However, the shop entrance is on Maple Avenue, thru the lower red door, across from Wampus Park.

“Thrifting is not only fashionable,” says Norma Hill, a long-time volunteer, “it’s fun. We can attest to that.”

Adds Trina Fontaine who oversees the shop on behalf of the church’s community out-reach efforts, “Treasures is truly a wellkept secret. Not only does Treasures boast bargains on high-end retail items, but it also helps individuals and households to be environmentally responsible with their donations and purchases.”

“The generosity of donors is beyond imagination,” continues Hill. Recent acquisitions include like-new Hermès and Burberry bags, St. John knits and Ralph Lauren jackets, as well as Jimmy Choo boots and shoes. “They literally flew out of the store,” according to Hill.

Among porcelain dishes, fine china and glassware items were a Tiffany cachepot and Baccarat vase, all at bargain basement prices. “No pun intended,” adds Fontaine. “The fun of shopping at Treasures is that you never know what you will find. We have many customers who come in once or twice a week to see what’s new.”

Started in 1967 by Mildred McDonald, a St. Stephen’s congregant and president of its Episcopal Church Women committee, Treasures’ business model has remained constant: providing low-cost, high-quality items to the community in order to lend financial support to local people in need. Half of the profits from Treasures support area non-profit organizations such as Emergency Shelter Partnership, Hope’s Door, Hudson Valley Honor Flight, and the Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry. Through its partnership with Greentree Textiles, Treasures accepts textile and clothing items unsuitable for resale but able to be repurposed, including clothing, shoes, purses, and linens.

Recently, Treasures retail space was renovated, with merchandise now displayed in an airy, well-lit, clean, and uncluttered environment. Clothing is in one room, furniture and household goods in another, with assorted bric-a-brac in yet another. There is even a beautiful new fitting room, built by Father Nils Chittenden, where one can try on one’s selections. Treasures will also soon be adding another room for children’s clothes, books, games, and entertainment items.

Besides its rotating inventory, what makes Treasures so special is its cadre of 15 warm and welcoming volunteers, all happy to serve customers, bargain hunters and donors alike.

Treasures is open two days a week for shopping and drop-off: Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There is ample parking in the Maple Avenue lot in front of the store. Cash and credit cards are gladly accepted.

Customers and donors are also invited to visit its website: treasuresthriftshop.org. Or better yet, come by in person to discover for yourself the hidden treasures to be found at Treasures.

ARTICLE COURTESY OF THE ST. STEPHENS EPISCOPAL CHURCH

PHOTOS BY DONNA MUELLER

The Beauty of Publishing

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There’s no business like show business… except for maybe publishing community magazines!  With a cover story in Inside Armonk Magazine about Treasures and its wonderful volunteer and philanthropic efforts, I’m feeling that too. I’m also delighted we could bring you our Inside Chappaqua Magazine cover story in which BGCNW executive director Alyzza Ozer shares so many of the amazing accomplishments of the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester. Both these stories were ‘from the source’–sharing from their hearts–and we may include more of these in future articles about non-profits, too.

Toiling away in my own little corner in my own little chair over the last 18 years, I’m not always immediately aware, but over time, I can become quite buoyed by the impact different stories have on a person, a single organization, or an entire community for that matter.

I won’t lie either. The occasional expressions of gratitude we receive in producing our own little show makes publishing feel like a truly beautiful and worthwhile endeavor. This past fall, we received two such letters! Please see excerpts from each below.

We have some wonderful stories about several of our sponsors in this edition as well, and I present those with deep gratitude, too. The ‘independent’ stories we produce would not be possible without advertising/advertorial support, and in truth, the stories about our sponsors can be equally well received–as most of them are your neighbors and friends, too! And, oh, so impressive.

The beauty of expressing gratitude also emerges as a theme in these current and end of the year ‘beautiful-inside and out’ themed holiday editions. We have several essays addressing that vital feeling of appreciation of others, or even of oneself (if you’re prone to discounting your own beauty; I know I am). I’m personally grateful for all the arts venues bursting back onto the scene, and yup, I sure love getting out of the house again! As much as possible, in fact! in these editions, we visit the Taconic Opera Company and the iconic Capitol Theatre (rock and roll heaven in our backyard) to acquaint you, or at least remind you of all the irresistible shows.

An end note here as well that the holiday season can be especially treacherous for families with children with food allergies, so don’t miss Ella Ilan’s story about two moms making a huge difference. And that’s beautiful too.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! 

Letters to the Editor

“I am writing to send you sincere thanks for your story about the Hammond Museum and Japanese Stroll Garden in your September-October issues of Inside Armonk and Inside Chappaqua & Millwood. The articles were so well written and illustrated that we could not have done a better job ourselves! It is clear that the results of your articles have increased our admissions at the Hammond Museum, both because the past several Saturdays have brought the most visitors that we have had in a single day (except our Opening Day), with about a 1/3 increase over prior Saturdays, and also because several individuals specifically remarked that their visit was the result of seeing your article in their local magazine. In fact, a visitor, who is the head of a local community group, remarked today that she heard about the Hammond at a gathering several weeks ago but suddenly “I’m seeing the Hammond promoted everywhere!” She specifically mentioned that one of the primary sources was your magazine. So we cannot thank you enough for your interest and support in our institution…  — Elizabeth Hammer, Executive Director, Hammond Museum and Japanese Stroll Garden

“I’m writing to express my gratitude to you and Pia Haas for the story in the September-October issues of Inside Chappaqua & Millwood and Inside Armonk magazines welcoming me in my new role as President and CEO of Caramoor Center for Music & the Arts. The piece captures the richness of the experiences that can be enjoyed at Caramoor year round, whether it be teas, tours and concerts in the Music Room of the Rosen House in the Fall through Spring, or our extensive summer season of outdoor musical performances enhanced by garden strolls, picnics and our Sonic Innovations Sound Art collection. Caramoor is a local gem and we can’t thank you enough for sharing it with your readers. Publications like yours play a vital role in the community and it was an honor to be included. It was also wonderful to work with your photographer Donna Mueller (who, by the way, miraculously coaxed our Sandy to pose for a photo!) and to meet you in person on Chappaqua Day! …  — Edward J. Lewis III, President & CEO, Caramoor Center for Music & the Arts

Finding Hidden TREASURES in Armonk

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Treasures volunteers, from left to right: Chum Bogart, Nan Bircham and Amy Knoll Lashmet
Treasures volunteers, from left to right: Chum Bogart, Nan Bircham and Amy Knoll Lashmet

By Heather Skolnick • Photos by Beth Besen

Who doesn’t love a good bargain? The saying goes that it’s the thrill of the hunt, and that certainly rings true for those who love shopping at the Treasures Thrift Shop in Armonk. With an assortment as wide and varied as theirs, you never know what you might find on any given visit to the shop. From antiques to vintage to even brand new, the Treasures Thrift Shop has something on their shelves for everyone. They even have their own Facebook page!

Established in 1968, Treasures has now been a part of the Armonk community for 47 years. The shop satisfies many needs within Armonk, first and foremost of which is to direct 50% of the money raised to the charitable outreach organizations the Church supports. Mostly local organizations, these include the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, Friends of Karen, and the Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry among others. Secondly, the shop provides a shopping venue affordable to most within a community where many boutiques cater to the more affluent. Thirdly, the Treasures website points out that the store also fosters comradery among the volunteers while working to support a common cause. And lastly, the Treasures Thrift Shop provides a local option for residents who wish to charitably donate some of their belongings with the hope that they find a new and loving home. Tax receipts are provided for all donations.

008Treasures dedicated “employees” are volunteers from the St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. There are 12-15 people on staff to support the store’s hours from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., three days a week. The thrift shop is managed by Linda Ranieris. She joined the church about 30 years ago and shortly thereafter became involved in the shop precisely because it supports such meaningful causes. She compliments all her co-workers, saying that the store truly “has a terrific staff who all truly love working there.” After 30 years, it’s understandable that Linda would feel so strongly about Treasures and its people!

Amy Knoll Lashmet started as a customer and recently became one of the newer volunteers to join the thrift shop staff. She maintains the newly created Facebook page in addition to working in the shop. The page gets updated about once a week with images of current donated merchandise. 
Follow them on Facebook to stay abreast of their latest donated items!

Amy shared several wonderful anecdotes about the thrift shop. She says that Treasures is particularly special because of their customer base, saying “Treasures customers are crazy loyal!” She elaborates, “It’s amazing, the ladies who work there really have relationships with their customers that go back for years!” She also talks about the quality of the donations, citing several very high end donations recently made. Not surprisingly, one of said items was gone in under eight minutes! Amy recommends that if you see something you like, don’t wait–it may not be there on your next visit.
A recent customer was reduced to tears when she returned to buy an item, only to find that it had already sold.

012Shoppers have very positive feedback about the store. The merchandise is wonderful and eclectic, and the staff is welcoming and accommodating. Merchandise in the store ranges from housewares to clothing to tchotchkes and all donations must be in good, clean, saleable condition. Manager Linda says that while they are open three days a week, if someone would like to donate and those days don’t work, she will work to find an alternative time. Linda also accommodates merchandise requests! She gets phone calls looking for specific products and will follow up with customers if a desired item comes in.

Armonk resident Ann Pircio-Pardes saw their sign one day while driving. She decided to stop by to make a donation. She made a donation, and said of her visit, “Since I was there, I decided to poke around a bit. Much to my surprise, I found a few things at terrific prices!” Among the “treasures” she found that day were a pair of shoes, a skirt and a blouse. The experience of coming in to donate and walking out with a purchase is part of the magic of the Treasures Thrift Shop.

Manager Linda Ranieri (L) with volunteer Linda Catlin
Manager Linda Ranieri (L) with volunteer Linda Catlin

Another Treasures shopper is Maria Perpepaj who also lives in Armonk. Maria discovered the shop a few years after moving into the area. She has been a regular shopper there for approximately 5 years now and goes about twice a month. She says, “You can really find nice things at a bargain! The people who work there are lovely and the money I spend goes to a good cause.”

Maria has found several items to purchase there. Among her favorite purchases were a green St. John suit and a sterling silver spoon.

Lastly, completing the circle, anything that doesn’t sell in the Treasures Thrift Shop will get re-donated to another organization. Treasures Thrift Shop is located at 50 Bedford Road in Armonk. Stop by to make a donation, look for your very own pre-loved Treasure–or both!

Heather Skolnick, her husband and three children live in New Castle. Heather works for a major retailer where she designs systems and processes to support Omnichannel shopping. In her spare time, she loves to look for pre-loved treasures, and has begun imparting that love on her young children too!